Paint With Confidence, Clarity & Community
Grow into the artist you want—confident in your work, clear in style, community-supported.
How about a membership that keeps you painting all year?
Whatever your level, Catalyst gives you the structure, inspiration, and support you need to paint consistently and grow with confidence.
- Weekly live classes to keep you consistent
- 100+ on-demand lessons for any skill level
- Direct feedback from Michelle (so you actually improve)
- A supportive community of artists who show up with you
- Mindset coaching to overcome perfectionism, comparison, and creative blocks
*Cancel Anytime
DOORS CLOSE IN
Join the Waitlist
DOORS CLOSE IN
Any of this sound familiar?
- You struggle to paint consistently — life, time, and guilt keep getting in the way.
- You overthink every brushstroke — and freeze halfway through a piece.
- You crave a personal style — but don’t know what’s truly you yet.
- You’re afraid of “ruining it,” — so the blank canvas feels heavy.
Catalyst turns pressure into play—and gives you steady, confident progress.
You are not alone!
You are not alone!
You don’t need permission—just a place to practice.
See what real artists inside Catalyst are creating and discover what’s possible when you paint with consistency, guidance, and encouragement.
Catalyst gives you live painting classes, focused topic sessions, and replays, plus 100+ on-demand lessons and gentle critiques to guide your progress—always with a community beside you.
Catalyst gives you live painting classes, focused topic sessions, and replays, plus 100+ on-demand lessons and gentle critiques to guide your progress—always with a community beside you.
How Catalyst Helps You Grow
Weekly guidance, a deep on-demand library, and a supportive community- so your next step is always clear.
How Catalyst Helps You Grow
Weekly guidance, a deep on-demand library, and a supportive community- so your next step is always clear.
What Our Members Say
Real artists, real progress—confidence, consistency, work they’re proud of.
Our Core Creative Truths
Your dream of a joyful, expressive, and deeply personal art practice is possible—and these are the guiding values we live by.
Our Core Creative Truths
Your dream of a joyful, expressive, and deeply personal art practice is possible—and these are the guiding values we live by.
A Peek at Classes You Can Watch
A curated snapshot—new classes added monthly. Replays included.
A Peek at Classes You Can Watch Today
A curated snapshot—new classes added monthly. Replays included.
DOORS CLOSE IN
DOORS CLOSE IN
Choose Your Plan
Choose Your Plan
Monthly or Annual—different savings.
Monthly or Annual—different savings.
Monthly — $45
Monthly — $45
Build your creativity,
join the fun!
Use code 2025 for $10 off your first month
- Live sessions + replays included
- 100+ on-demand lessons
- Private community & feedback
Cancel Anytime
Annual VIP — $450
Annual VIP — $450
Save $100 (2 months free)
+ $10 off with code 2025
Save $100 (2 months free)
+ $10 off with code 2025
- Includes OPEN STUDIO Class*
- Everything in monthly
- Full access for 12 months
- Stay consistent all year
* OPEN STUDIO is an intimate session to share blocks, wins, ideas, and growth
Annual memberships are non-refundable, as noted in our Terms & Conditions. We’ve packed it with value—and we’re here to support you all year long.
Pricing
Monthly or Annual plans.
Choose Your Plan
Monthly or Annual—different savings.
Monthly — $45
Monthly — $45
Use code 2025 for $10 off your first month
- Live sessions + replays included
- 100+ on-demand lessons
- Private community & feedback
Annual VIP — $450
Annual VIP — $450
Save $100 (2 months free)
+ $10 off with code 2025
- Includes OPEN STUDIO Class*
- Everything in monthly
- Full access for 12 months
- Stay consistent all year
Join the Waitlist
Questions?
Progress here isn’t a race. Move at your own pace—every class is recorded, so you can watch in small chunks and rewatch anytime.
Both include full access to classes, replays, and community. Annual (VIP) adds Open Studio and the best overall value.
Open Studio is a casual hang for Annual/VIP members. Come as you are—paint if you want, or just chat. It’s a relaxed Zoom meet-up to talk through roadblocks, swap ideas, and connect with other artists. No formal lesson—just friendly facilitation, optional prompts, and time together.
No. One live session (60–90 min) or a replay split into a few 20-minute chunks each week is enough to build momentum.
All sessions are recorded and posted in the hub. Watch on your schedule and rewatch anytime.
Yes—cancel from your account (the Support page in the hub has step-by-step instructions). No hoops.
Absolutely. We start simple, explain why choices work, and you can follow step by step.
Yes. You’ll get critique on your work, deeper dives into composition and color, and optional business-side classes.
Submit your work via our online critique form. Michelle gives kind, specific, actionable feedback during the monthly Critique class. Due to volume, she reviews 4–6 pieces live; the rest receive written feedback posted after class.
Regular live sessions, access to 100+ on-demand classes, community support, and critiques. (Annual adds Open Studio.)
Mostly. If Michelle is sick or on vacation, classes are rescheduled or a pre-recorded session is provided.
Start with what you have. We have shopping lists (with links where to buy) for all the styles I teach. At the very basic level you can start with watercolors and watercolor paper.
No, but it’s recommended for questions, sharing work, and weekly check-ins. You can still watch everything in the hub.
New live sessions happen monthly. Most months include five live sessions; Annual/VIP adds Open Studio (making it six). Replays are added to the library so the catalog keeps growing.
No. Share when you’re ready. Lurking/learning is welcome, and we keep feedback kind and constructive.
You’ll see the full calendar in the hub and you can subscribe to our external calendar so sessions appear in your own calendar (Google Calendar, etc.).
Michelle is in ET (Eastern Time, US). All class times are listed in the hub; can’t make it? Replays are always waiting.
Yes—you can change plans from your account.
Access continues through your paid period; it ends when your billing cycle finishes.
We’re cancel-anytime. If you’re unsure, start Monthly—then upgrade to Annual when you’re loving it.
Of course! You are welcome and encouraged to share and sell your work. Though, you are not allowed to teach or share the techniques, samples, videos or content from Catalyst.
Email us anytime at hello @ email.michellearmas.com.
Hi, I'm Michelle,
I’m an abstract painter, designer, color lover, and big fan of creative messes. I started Catalyst Academy because I know how hard it can be to make time for art, trust your instincts, and find your own voice—and I wanted a place where we could do all that together.
This is the kind of space I always wanted: warm, honest, encouraging, and full of real people showing up for their art (even when it feels a little scary). I’ll walk you through my process, cheer you on when you’re stuck, and remind you—again and again—that you can do this.
You don’t have to be confident to start. You just have to start.
